A History of the Inca

How do we have accounts of the Inca origins when they didn’t have a writing system?  In this episode we step away from the narrative to discuss our sources. Spanish Chroniclers, Indigenous Accounts, Archaeological research and Ethno-Historical accounts will all be used for the show going forward.  We discuss the pros and cons to some of these sources because (Surprise!) accounts by the c...

The murder of Yahuar Huacac leaves the Inca in a succession crisis. Young Viracocha Inca will have to step in and take the reigns of government. His rule will, overall, be a success. However, his son and successor leaves much to be desired. With an old enemy marching towards Cuzco, the Inca will need a hero to step up and save them from certain destruction. Enter: Earthshaker. Intro music by: Kalx...

Episode 7: Origin Myths Part 1 The Inca emerge from their caves and embark on a quest led by Ayar Manco to find fertile land.  Sent by the Creator god himself, Viracocha, the Inca found the city of Cuzco.  Here the Inca must carve out a piece of territory for themselves as we have seen other civilizations before them accomplish.  Leaders will rise and fall.  Plots will be made and others foiled. ...

Episode 6: The Wari We return back to Peru and analyze the mysterious Wari.  The Wari and their ancestors are credited with spreading terrace farming throughout much of the Andes.  They have also had a hand in influencing the Moche, Nasca and Tiwanaku. So who were they and what is the legacy they left?  Were they the first empire in the Andes? Listen to find out. Please follow the s...

Today we head even further south and into the Andes themselves.  Situated between the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra is the Altiplano, a high plateau that sits within the borders of modern day Peru, Bolivia and Chile.  On that plateau sits the world's highest navigable lake: Lake Titicaca.  On the shores of rose a city that would come to dominate the Altiplano and the southern Ande...

Episode 4: The Nasca Welcome once again to A History of the Inca.  This time we explore one of the most well known groups that inhabited, not only what is now Peru, but all of South America, the Nasca.  Sure, you know about their lines on the desert, but these people were much doing much more than drawing images. They lived in the Atacama Desert, the driest on Earth!  How, did they not only live,...

Welcome once again to A History of the Inca! In this episode we will be looking at the first of four Andean societies that existed prior to the Inca, the Moche.   The Moche were a culture that inhabited the north coast of Peru until around 800 AD.  There is much about this society that we don’t know, but we will be discussing their possible administration structure, ceremonies and the ro...

Welcome once again to A History of the Inca! This time we are getting the lay of the land. Literally. First we, discuss the geography, dominated by the imposing Andes.  Next, we tackle the climate and explain how El Nino and other natural events can cause havoc. Resources such as food, water and materials are discussed briefly.  Finally, we talk about how the native people were able to a...

Welcome to: A History of the Inca! This is a brand new podcast covering the history of the Inca Empire.  After, listening to other podcasts and seeing what was out there I noticed that coverage of this area of history had hardly been covered.   This episode will introduce the host, the format of the show and the schedule.  I touch on what to expect for the first few episodes and what I plan on cov...